About the Book

Many nations played a role as belligerents on the Allied side in World War II. Many were in the thick of combat and made grave national sacrifices—yet general histories mention them only briefly or omit their story entirely.
The assisting troops are given their due in this unique, comprehensive and readable history. Included are chapters about land and sea troops from such countries as Fiji, Trans-Jordan, Luxembourg, Brazil, Iran and Nigeria, as well as Maori, Assyrians, Gurkhas, Free Poles, and others.
Knowing the lines drawn more than 70 years ago between sides will enable anyone to understand better national enmities and relations today.

About the Author(s)

J. Lee Ready is a military historian living in Preston, Lancashire, England.

5. The Battle of Britain and the Contribution of the Forgotten Allies 24

The Few 27

Part Two: Side Shows

6. The Beginning of the French Civil War 31

7. The Rise and Fall of the Roman Empire–1940-1941 33

The Greek Fiasco 37

African Fiasco 37

8. Big Brother Steps In–North Africa, Spring 1941 46

9. The Warm Seas Campaign–1940-1941 51

10. The Battle of the Atlantic–1940-1941 55

11. For the Glory of France–July 1940 to February 1941 59

Part Three: New Allies: New Enemies

12. Anzacs in the Aegean-Spring 1941 63

13. The Middle East Wars-April to August 1941 74

Iraq 74

Syria 77

Iran 82

14. A Score of Nations-June to December 1941 85

The New War in Europe 85

The Old War in Africa 86

Part Four: A Whole New Ballgame

15. Japan First? 101

16. Africa: A Repeat Performance 103

17. The War in the Indian Ocean: Madagascar 121

18. Monty’s Multi-National Army 124

19. America Enters the French Civil War 137

20. Hidden Flank: The Fezzan Campaign 143

21. The War in the Sea–1940 to 1942 147

22. The War in the Clouds–1940 to 1942 155

23. Special Forces–1940 to 1942 165

Part Five: On the Winning Side

24. Tunisia 179

25. Sicily: Occupation or Liberation? 191

26. The Italian Civil War 198

27. The Crawl Across ltaly–September to December 1943 214

28. Cassino 222

29. The Race for Rome 234

30. The Terror Below the Waves–1943 238

31. The Terror Above the Waves–1943 243

32. The Sea: Prelude to the Great Invasions–January to June 1944 248

33. With the Greatest of Ease: The Allied Air Forces in Britain–January 1943 to June 1944 251

34.The Remainder of Europe 267

Denmark: Ally or Enemy? 267

Crusade in the East 269

The Neutrals 272

35. Waiting in the Wings 277

Book Reviews & Awards

“invaluable”—Strategypage.com; “substantial and valuable…these two volumes are not only significant but also important contributions and correctives to our vast accumulation of historical literature on World War II”—American Historical Review; “a useful and insightful study, Ready…provides interesting and critical viewpoints on the role of these “forgotten allies” and on the attitudes of the great powers toward their lesser comrades in arms”—Army; “exhaustive”—The Book Report.